Biography

Meet Dr. Weedn

Sonnee D. Weedn, Ph.D. is a clinical and forensic psychologist in private practice in Novato, CA. She has been in practice since 1980. She has recently added a satellite office in her hometown Newport Beach, CA.

She has created and produced a wide variety of retreat programs and workshops, ranging from couples enrichment to spiritual development. Having studied with many leaders in behavioral/mental health care, as well as wisdom keepers from many traditions, Dr. Weedn applies traditional wisdom to a dynamic format.

Since 2004, Dr. Weedn has provided in-depth psychological assessments of patients at chemical dependency treatment centers. Her reports and recommendations guide individualized treatment planning and interventions designed to maximize treatment outcomes and guard against episodes of relapse.

Dr. Sonnee Weedn

Curriculum Vitae

Education

1988 Ph.D.

Clinical Psychology California Graduate School of Family Psychology, San Rafael, CA(Acquired by American School of Professional Psychology 7/99)

Doctoral Dissertation: “Brothers and Sisters of the Mentally Retarded: A Retrospective Descriptive Study”

Certified by the Board of Governors of the APA College of Professional Psychology in the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders.

Honors and Awards

2013

Clark Vincent Award from the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) for a literary and research contribution to the profession of Marriage and Family Therapy.

2012

Bronze Award from eLit Awards in the category of Biography for Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women.

2012

1st Place in Reader’s Choice Reader’s View Award in the category of Humanities for Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women.

2012

2nd Place in Royal Dragonfly Book Awards in the category of Cultural Diversity for Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women.

2012

2nd Place in Royal Dragonfly Book Awards in the category of Memoir for Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women.

2012

Bronze Award in Book of the Year contest in the category of Women’s Issues for Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women.

2012

Honorable Mention at San Francisco Book Festival in the category of Biography/Autobiography for Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women.

2009-present

By invitation to The Women’s Leadership Forum for Women Treating Addiction

2002

Awarded the Lady Vera Scholarship by the Angeles Arrien Foundation for Cross-cultural Education and Research. This fund receives no applications, but scouts and awards scholarships as an unexpected blessing to those who have talent and promise and carry an altruistic spirit.

Board Appointments

2005–2011

National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Addictions – Bay Area Chapter

Administrative Director of Continuing Education – Sierra Tucson, Tucson, AZ – Directing the delivery of continuing education for Registered Nurses, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists in the area of group psychotherapy, couples therapy, dream interpretation, the integration of spiritual issues into psychotherapy and eating disorders, addiction, etc.

Clinical Experience

1980-present

Private Practice, Novato, CAProviding brief and long-term outpatient psychotherapy to individual adults, adolescents, seniors, couples and families. Assessment and treatment of chemical dependency. Consultation to churches, schools and school districts, physician groups, family businesses, private business and community organizations in the areas of team building, organizational behavior, conflict resolution and stress management. Group psychotherapy, including three ongoing, long-term women’s groups and two ongoing, long-term mixed groups.Specializing in the treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, substance abuse and co-occurring conditions, process addictions (i.e. eating disorders, sex and love addiction, codependency, etc), and family issues related to all of these.

Providing psychological evaluations for children, adolescents and adults and including the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, Rorschach: Comprehensive System, MMPI-II, MCMI-III, MACI, MMPI-A, TAT, Bender-Gestalt and drawings. Assessments provided for City and County of San Francisco, Marin County Child Welfare Department, Child Protective Services of Marin and Sonoma Counties, Workers Compensation, State of California, Board of Registered Nursing and by referral from other mental health professionals, attorneys and insurers.

2014

Consulting Clinical Director for Windward Way Intensive Outpatient Program and Sober Living Environments, Newport Beach, CAConsulting on matters of maintaining clinical excellence and integrity, and program development

2006-2009

Director of Clinical Services for The Mayflower Center, San Rafael, CAProviding inpatient treatment for men who have relapsed subsequent to treatment for alcoholism or other chemical dependencies. Providing psychological assessment for every admitted patient.

Phoenix Program at Petaluma Valley Hospital, Petaluma, CAClinical psychology internship at inpatient treatment facility for chemically dependent adults. Provided individual, group and couples therapy on inpatient ward; lectured; performed psychological evaluations; directed aftercare program for patients out of the hospital for 90 days or more.

Teaching and Consultation Experience

2014

By invitation, in conjunction with Fordham University’s inter-disciplinaryconsortium (affiliated with the Graduate School of Social Studies),consultant in long-duration space travel – psychological aspects of crew

selection, monitoring and maintenance of mental health on the flight to

Mars projected for 2030

2014

Producer with Terry Eagan, M.D., Beata Lundeen, et.al. for the Prayer forCompassion event at Avalon Malibu, raising over $50,000 for the TibetanChildren’s Villages and the Men-Tse-Khang (Tibetan Medical and

Panel Member with Jamison Monroe of Newport Academy at a screeningof the award-winning documentary about teen-age and young adult drugabuse, Behind the Orange Curtain, discussing the film and conducting a

Producer and Presenter, “Psychosynthesis and Integrative Psychology: An In-Depth Study with Emphasis on Cross Cultural Consideration and Experience (including ethical considerations)” February 22, to March 7, 2013 India – various locations.

2013

Producer and Presenter, “Winter Renewal and Creating a New Year Focus: A Retreat for Women” January 12, 2013 Petaluma, CA

2012

Presenter, By invitation of the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) “Group Psychotherapy for Female Sex and Love Addicts” with co-presenters Alexandra Katehakis, MFT and Marnie Ferree, MFT.

2012

Presenter, By invitation of the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH) “Spirituality for Recovering People” with co-presenter Rev. George McLaird. This presentation included a section on the ethics of t reating diverse populations.

2012

Producer and Presenter, with Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, “Raise Your Voice: African American History in Oral Tradition.” A one-day continuing education program sponsored by Promises Treatment Centers, Novato, CA.

Producer and Presenter, with Keith Arnold and Lench Archuleta, “Spirit Journey: Group Psychotherapy as Transformational Experience.” A one- day continuing education program sponsored by Promises Treatment Centers.

2011

Producer and Presenter, with Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, “Raise Your Voice: African American History in Oral Tradition.” A one-day continuing education program sponsored by Clearview Treatment Center and Sierra Tucson Hospital, Venice, CA.

Presenter, by invitation of The Ben Franklin Institute, national presentation of The Use of Dreams in Individual and Group Psychotherapy, Tucson, AZ. Taped for national distribution for continuing education for mental health professionals.

Producer and presenter, in conjunction with Sierra Tucson, “Waking From the Dream of Winter,” a one-day retreat for women, with Luisah Teish and Dana Patterson.

2009

Producer and presenter, in conjunction with Promises, Sierra Tucson, and The Mayflower Center of “Raise Your Voice: Creating a Vocal Community,” featuring Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock.

2009

Featured presenter for The University of Wisconsin Center for Health Enhancement System Studies (CHESS), “Advancing Recovery” program, a teleconference promoting evidence-based practice improvement to improve large-scale systems change. Presentation on the use of psychological testing in the treatment of addiction.

2009

Producer and presenter, in conjunction with Promises, Sierra Tucson and The Mayflower, “Raise Your Voice: Singing in the African American Tradition,” a day dedicated to learning African American history in the oral tradition, featuring Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Team Building for staff at Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts , Stone Mountain, GA and producer of program for staff, students and their parents at the Center – “Singing in the African Tradition”, with Ysaye Barnwell of “Sweet Honey in the Rock.”

Two day team building retreat for the staff of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Performing Arts in Atlanta, Georgia.

2006

Presentation on use of dreams in the spiritual practices of indigenous peoples of the Americas at the Episcopal Cathedral of Little Rock, Arkansas (Seedwork Project).

2001-2007

Member Mandatory Continuing Education for Psychologists Accrediting Committee – One of three “Third Reviewers” in the state of California for California Psychological Association ruling on contested applications to provide continuing education for psychologists.

2001-2007

Featured presenter at Miraval Wellness Center, Tucson, AZ on Integration of Spirituality in Group Therapy, Lakota Medicine, Women’s Sexuality and Body Image, and Interpretation of Dreams.

1999-present

Administrative Director of Continuing Education – Sierra Tucson,Tucson, AZDirecting the delivery of continuing education for Registered Nurses, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists in the area of group psychotherapy, couples therapy, dream interpretation, the integration of spiritual issues into psychotherapy and eating disorders, etc.

1997-present

Owner of Sacred Calling ProductionsPresentation of workshops and retreats for individuals and couples to enhance spiritual development and psychological well-being. Providing training for Mental Health Clinicians in Group Psychotherapy as Transformational Experience. Yearly week-long training in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Santa Fe, New Mexico.Special events in the past have been sponsored by Sierra Tucson Hospital, Tucson, AZ and have included “The Heroine’s Journey”, “Archetypes of Healing and Wholeness”, “The Power of Two”, and “The Medicine Wheel as Sacred Space”.

2005

Featured presenter at The University of San Francisco High School Parent Night on Alcohol and Drug Use and Abuse Prevention for Adolescents.

Admitted as expert witness in various jurisdictions, including Sonoma County, Marin County, Contra Costa County, Solano County and Sacramento County in areas of child abuse, child custody and dependency, reliability of child witnesses, and psychological assessment.

1982-present

Deposition taken and expert testimony given approximately forty times in variety of cases.

Books and Articles

2012

Making Advances: A Comprehensive Guide to Treating Female Sex and Love Addicts. Co-author of two chapters on diagnosis and group therapy. Edited by Marnie Ferree, MFT.

2011

Author of the book Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women, a collection of the life stories of thirty contemporary, accomplished African American women, as told to Dr. Weedn. It will inspire and challenge all readers.

2010

Regular contributor to Recovery View, an online newsletter for mental health professionals specializing in the treatment of addiction.

2010

“Addressing the Complexities of Chronic Pain,” with James Gagne, M.D., Marin Medicine: The Magazine of the Marin Medical Society.Volume 56, Number 4.

2010

In press, Many Blessings: A Tapestry of African American Women. A collection of the life stories of thirty-one contemporary, accomplished African American women, as told to Dr. Weedn, will inspire and challenge all readers.

2010

“Fear in the Midst of Plenty: The Effects of the Economic Downturn on Mental Health,” Marin Medicine: The Magazine of the Marin Medical Society. Volume 56, Number 3.

2010

“The Effects of the Economic Downturn on Mental Health,” The Newsletter of the Marin Medical Society.

Media Presentations

2012

Guest presentations on three occasions on The Deniece Barnes Radio Show, Differences, out of Nashville, TN. Presentations featured nine of the women featured in Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women.

2011

Television interview with Karen Holmes Ward, Channel 5 WCVB, Director of Public Affairs and Community Services, regarding Dr. Weedn’s book, Many Blessings: A Tapestry of Accomplished African American Women.